Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-06

servant interrupted her by entering the room
with n visiting card 1t was the card of
Henry Westwick; and there was an ominous
request written on ii in pencil. 81 bring bad
news Let me see you for a minute down
stairs.n Agnes Immediately left the room.
Alone with Mrs Ferrari Mr.. Troy per-
mitted his natural kindness of heart TO show
itself ON the surface at last. He tried TO
make his peace with the courier's wife.
HYou have every claim, my good soul, to
resent reflection cast upon your husband"
he began. al may even say that l respect
you for speaking so warmly in his defense.
AT the same time remember that am bound,
in such a serious matter rs this, to tell you
what is really in my mind. 1 can have no
intention of offending you, seeing that am
total stranger to you and TO Mr.. Ferrari.
thousand pounds is large sum of money, and
a poor man may excusably be tempted by it
10 do nothing worse than to keep out Of the
way for awhile. My only interest, acting on
four behalf, is to get at the truth. If you
will give me time, see no reason to despair
of finding your husband yet"
Ferrarl's wife listened, without being con-
WINGED; her narrow little mind, filled to its
extreme capacity by hor unfavorable opinion
of Mr. Troy, had no room left for the pro
cess of correcting its first impression. 81 am
much obliged to you, sir" was all she said
Her eyes were more commandments
eyes added, in their language, "You may say
what you please; l will never forgive you TO
my dying day."
Mr. Troy gave it up. He composedly
wheeled his chair round, put his hands in his
pockets, and looked out of the window.
After an interval Of silence, the drawing
room door was opened.
Mr.. Troy wheeled round again briskly to
the table, expecting to see Agnes. To his
surprise, there appeared, in her place, per-
feet stranger to him-a gentleman in the
prime OF life, with marked expression Of
pain and embarrassment on his handsome
face. He looked at Mr.. Troy, and bowed
gravely.
II am so unfortunate as to have brought
news to Miss Agnes Lockwood which has
greatly distressed her." he said. "She has re-
tired to her room. am requested to make
her excuses, and to speak to you in her place"
Having introduced himself in those terms,
he noticed Mrs. Ferrari, and held out his
hand to her kindly. at is some years since
| we last met, Emily" be said. II am afraid
| you uuNb iSbAAch bHo %h"oeSA
| Henry of old times" Emily in some little
confusion, made her acknowledgements, and
begged to know IL she could be OF any use to
Miss Lockwood. "The old nurse is with her"
Henry answered. "they will be better left to-
gether." He turned once more to Mr.. Troy
~ ought to tell you" he said, THAT my
name is Henry Westwick. am the younger
brother OF the late Lord Nontbarry."
4 ~. IT,.
claimed.
any brother died at Venice yesterday even
Ing There is the telegram" With that
startling answer he handed the paper to Mr..
Troy
The message was In these words:
"Lady Montbarry, Venice. To Stephen
Robert Westwick Newbury's hotel, London.
1t is useless to take the journey. Lord Mont
barry died OF bronchitis at $40 this evening.
All needful details by post
"Was this expected, SirF the lawyer asked.
al cannot say that it has taken us entirely by
surprise" Henry answered. any brother Ste
phen (who is now the head of the family re-
ceved telegram three days since, informing
him that alarming symptoms had declared
themselves, and that a second physician had
been called in. He telegraphed back to say that
he had left Ireland for London, on his way to
Venice, and to direct that any further mes
sage might be sent TO his hotel. The reply
came in n second telegram. 1t announced
that Lord Montbarry was in a state OF insen-
sblity, and that, In his brief intervals OF
consciousness. he recognized nobody. My
brother was advised 10 wait In London for
later information Tho third telegram is
now in your hands That is all know up to
the present time"
Happening to look ut the courier's wife,
Mr.. Troy was struck by Che expression OF
blank fear which showed itself In the wo-
mans face
"Mrs. Ferrari, !" he said, shave you heard
what Mr.. Westwick has just told mef'
avery word OF it, SIR"
"Have you any questions to askP
aNo, sir"
sYou seem to be alarmed, p the lawyer per-
sisted. as it still about your husbandF
II shah never see my husband again, sir.
have thought so all along, as you know. ]
feel sure OF it now"
"Snre of it, after what you have Just
heard7n
ayes, sir"
aCan you tell me whyiH
"No, sir. It's a feeling have 1 can't tell
why"
"Oh, feeling" Mr.. Troy repeated, in a
tone OF compassionate contempt when 1t
comes to feelings, my good soul"- he left
the sentence unfinished, and rose to take his
leave Of Mr.. Westwick. The truth is, he be-
gan TO feel puzzled himself, and he did not
choose to let Mrs. Ferrari see it. accept
the expression Of my sympathy, sir" he said
to Mr.. Westwick politely. II wish you good
evening"
Henry turned to Mrs. Ferrari, as the law.
yer closed the door. 81 have heard Of your
trouble, Emily, from Miss Lockwood. Is
there anything can do to help you'll"
Nothing, sir, thank you. Perhaps had
better 20 home after what has happened
will call tomorrow, and sec If can be of any
nse TO Miss Agnes. / am very sorry for her. y
She stole away, with her formal courtesy, her
nolseless step, and her obstinate resolution to
take the gloomiest view OF her husbands
| case.
Henry Westwick looked round him In the
solitude of the little drawing room. There
wns nothing to keep him in the house, and yet
he fingered in 1t. It was something 10 be
even near Agnes-to see the things belonging
to her scattered about the room. There, In
one corner, was her chair, with her embroi-
derry on the work table by Its side On the
little easel near the window was her last
drawing, not quite finished yet. The book
she had been reading lay on tho sofa, with
her tiny pencil case in it TO mark the place at
which she had left off. One after another he
looked at the objects that reminded him OF
the woman whom he loyed--took them up
tenderly, and laid them down again with n
sigh. All, how far, how unattainably FAR
from him she was still "She will never for
get Montbarry," he thought TO himself, as he
took up his hat to CO. mot one Of us feels
his denth as she feels It. Miserable, miser-
able wretch, how she loved himp
In the street, as Henry closed the house
door, he was stopped by passing acquaint-
ance-n wearisome, inquisitive man-doubly
unwecome TO him at that moment. "Sad
nows, Westwick, this about your brother.
Rather an unexpected death, wasn't III We
never heard at the club that Montbarry's
lungs were weak What will the insurance
offices dot"
Henry started; he had never thought Of his
brothers life insurance. What could the Of
fees do but payl A death by bronchitis, GER
titled by two physicians, was surely the least
disputablc of all deaths 81 wish you hadn't
put that question into my bcadI" be broke out,
irritably.
"Ahl" said his friend, "you think the widow
will get the money! So do L so do Iw